Allowing nurse practitioners to break free from doctors is a controversial issue.

Proponents say nurse practitioners have advanced training that allows them to diagnose, treat, prescribe drugs and do many of the same things doctors do. They cite studies showing patients treated by nurse practitioners do just as well if not better than patients treated by doctors.

Opponents, such as the American Medical Association and the state Medical Society, say nurse practitioners do not have the training to operate independently and need to be supervised by doctors.

Take our poll and let us know where you stand on the issue.

You can contact health writer James T. Mulder at jmulder@syracuse.com or (315) 470-2245. Follow him on Twitter @JamesTMulder.